OCTOBER 25, 2007, FARMINGVILLE, NY– Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian X. Foley and Councilman Tim Mazzei announced at a press conference on Thursday, October 25 at Sandspit Marina in Patchogue that the addition of two new pump-out boats on the South Shore this summer was a tremendous success.

Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian X. Foley, at podium, announced at a press conference Thursday that the addition of two new pumpout boats on the South Shore last summer had been a great success. With him are, left to right, Parks Commissioner Jim LaCarrubba, Adriene Esposito of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Lucy Jackson of Patchogue Bay Power Squadron, Supervisor Foley, Bill McGahern of Patchogue Bay Power Squadron, Councilman Tim Mazzei, Nick Worontzoff of Patchogue Bay Power Squadron, Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri, and Joel Becker of South Bay Cruising Club.

   During the height of the 2007 boating season, the Town collected an unprecedented 36,500 gallons of waste from recreational boats, up from 10,000 gallons in 2006. If pump-out boats do not collect this waste, it can be released into the environmentally sensitive waterways of the South Shore.

   “The increase in waste collection on the South Shore is a great win for the environment,” said Supervisor Foley. “From day one, my administration has been committed to protecting our Town’s waterways, including the Great South Bay and the Forge River, two locations served by these pump-out boats. We have a rich tradition of boating in Brookhaven Town, and as elected officials, ensuring the health of our marine environments is the best way for us to help continue this tradition.”

   “As both a resident and boater on the South Shore, as well as a representative for the area, I would like to thank Supervisor Foley and Commissioner LaCarrubba for their efforts in bringing these pump-out boats to the South Shore,” said Councilman Mazzei. “I am excited that the boats have been such a success in their first season on the water and I look forward to the continued protection of South Shore waterways.”

   “The numbers have proven that the addition of new boats on the South Shore was the right choice for the Town of Brookhaven and for the environment,” said Parks Commissioner Jim LaCarrubba. “I am proud to have been a part of this from the beginning and I look forward to even higher numbers in the future.”

   “Being a resident of the community and having grown up here, I can remember there being three to four hundred clam boats on the water,” said Patchogue Village Mayor Paul Pontieri. “Today, there are two clam boats on the water here in Patchogue. Anything that we can do to improve the quality of the water in Patchogue Bay is always a plus. I applaud and thank the Town of Brookhaven for taking steps to do just that.”

   “The Patchogue Bay Power Squadron is and has been a strong advocate for clean water during the more than 50 years since it was chartered in 1953 and applauds the Town of Brookhaven in its aggressive use of their new pump-out boats this season,” said Nick Worontzoff of the Patchogue Bay Power Squadron. “Our focus on respecting waterways is in concert with the Power Squadron’s principal charter of promoting safe boating through education. The Squadron’s most recent promotion of clean water awareness was the Clean Water Grant awarded by BoatUS in April 2007; placards (funded by the Grant) will be distributed by the three towns bordering the Great South Bay to remind boaters of their responsibilities. Congratulations to the Town of Brookhaven on their successful introduction of pump-out boating services on the Great South Bay.”

   “The SBCC congratulates the Town on its remarkable success in providing waste pump-out boats and resources during the 2007 season,” said the Board of the South Bay Cruising Club in a statement. “Not only the Town of Brookhaven, but the entire Great South Bay community benefits from this forward thinking action. We look forward to a successful 2008 season and fully support these town efforts.”

   “The elimination of harmful, untreated sewage with pump-out boats provides a meaningful level of protection for our bays, our health, and our shellfish industry,” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “Our research shows that there is a growing awareness and willingness by boaters to use pump-out boats and act as good stewards of our waters. Congratulations to Brookhaven Town for taking the critical step in making this option available to boaters. We are sure that the success of this important program will only grow over the years.”

   Pump-out boats are vital to protect water quality on the South Shore by preventing pollution before it happens. It is estimated that thousands of gallons of raw sewage are discharged into the estuary each year by recreational boats, causing a threat to public health and contributing to beach closings.

Office of the Supervisor
One Independence Hill • Farmingville • NY 11738 • Phone (631) 451-6955 • Fax (631) 451-6677